Pistachio nutrition

Just 47 pistachios, a one-ounce serving, contain 13 grams of predominantly monounsaturated fat and no cholesterol. All nuts, including pistachios, contain some saturated fat but are considered low in saturated fat. Fats are a concentrated source of energy and play an important role in assisting the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E, D, and K.

Pistachios are the richest source of potassium of all the nut family. The potassium content of one ounce of pistachios is equal to that of one orange, a whopping 310 mg. Two ounces of pistachios contain more potassium than one medium banana. More of the pistachio's nutritional attributes for one ounce include 2 mg. vitamin C, 66 IU vitamin A, 44.9 mg magnesium, 16.5 mcg folic acid, 1.9 mg. iron, 38.3 mg. calcium, 5.8 g protein, and 3.1 g dietary fiber. That single ounce of pistachios carries more than 10% of the Daily Value for dietary fiber, vitamin B6, thiamine, magnesium, phosphorous, and copper. In comparing raw pistachios to dry roasted, you will find that some nutrients are diminished when the nuts are dry roasted, such as only 19.8 mg vitamin C, .9 mg iron, 36.9 mg. magnesium, and 275 mg. potassium compared to the higher figures noted above.

Pistachio standards

The institute of Standard and Industrial Research of Iran requires that all pistachio producers must observe the fallowing standards in order to export their product:

Without live vermin

Without unnatural hot smell or flavor

Of uniform size

Maximum of other kinds and forms: 6%

Maximum external material: 1%

Maximum free pistachio kernels: 1%

Maximum closed and hollow pistachios: 6%

Maximum unripe pistachios: 8%

Maximum verminous pistachios: 5%

Maximum various colored: 2%

Maximum malformed pistachios: 5%

Total aphlatoxin poison: adapt to importer country law

Note: In addition to the above conditions, processed pistachios must have the fallowing characteristics:

Maximum salt in salted pistachios: 3%

Maximum moisture in roasted pistachios: 2%

Maximum burnt in roasted pistachios: 1%

Commercial packing: Pistachio packs are available in 20 kg cartons or bulk in 50 kg sacks.

Small packing: Pistachio packages are available in 250g. to 2kg packs.